After gunning down sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, the Special Task Force has decided against returning to M M Hills in Karnataka to unearth arms, ammunition and money hidden by the brigand.

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"My mandate is over. I am awaiting government order [on future assignments]. It is for the local police to investigate and follow up these matters," Tamil Nadu Additional Director General of Police K Vijayakumar, the man who got Veerappan, told reporters after being felicitated by Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday on Bangalore.

Asserting that the STF has eliminated the entire Veerappan gang, he said: "I firmly believe that the hard core is gone. Small fringes and erstwhile supporters who gave refuge to the bandit may remain. They can be handled by the police."

Apparently resenting speculations in the media over the STF's encounter with Veerappan and his gang, Vijayakumar said: "Yes, these things have happened with several such operations," but hastened to add that 'Operation Cocoon' was planned six months ago and intensified in the last two months.

Praising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, he said: "My chief minister was very confident. She never mounted pressure on me."

Karnataka STF Chief Jyoti Prakash Mirjee was also honoured on the occasion.